Room of the Week: Kitchen Contracts for Couple, Caters for Crowds
A view to the bay was key to this kitchen, as well as the ability to close up for a couple or expand for extended family
Vanessa Walker
27 September 2018
Houzz Australia & New Zealand Editor-in-Chief
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Images by Tatjana Plitt
Answers by Martin Musiatowicz, architect and director, Kart Projects
Who lives here: A retired couple (with adult children who frequently come to stay)
Location: Mount Martha, Victoria
Room purpose and size: Kitchen and dining area, 30 square metres in total
Answers by Martin Musiatowicz, architect and director, Kart Projects
Who lives here: A retired couple (with adult children who frequently come to stay)
Location: Mount Martha, Victoria
Room purpose and size: Kitchen and dining area, 30 square metres in total
Brief
This was a sea-change house, the clients moved from a rural farm – where they had grown up and lived all of their lives – to the coast. They wanted to make the most of the large, sloping site and expansive views of the Mornington Peninsula as well as the bay. The house needed to be able to adapt to host their large extended family and friends but then contract and feel ‘small’ when occupied only by the couple and their adult children, when they visited.
This kitchen needed to be open, but the owners wanted to have all of the storage concealed or tucked away to maximise usable space.
This was a sea-change house, the clients moved from a rural farm – where they had grown up and lived all of their lives – to the coast. They wanted to make the most of the large, sloping site and expansive views of the Mornington Peninsula as well as the bay. The house needed to be able to adapt to host their large extended family and friends but then contract and feel ‘small’ when occupied only by the couple and their adult children, when they visited.
This kitchen needed to be open, but the owners wanted to have all of the storage concealed or tucked away to maximise usable space.
Starting point
The view.
Key design aspects
Colour palette: Dark-blue joinery and walls and grey-blue tiles to reference the bay and sky. Timber and brass, white and light grey.
The view.
Key design aspects
Colour palette: Dark-blue joinery and walls and grey-blue tiles to reference the bay and sky. Timber and brass, white and light grey.
Key pieces of furniture: Archier Highline suspended light from Rakumba Lighting. Ceramic splashback tiles from Anchor Ceramics. Viccarbe Last Minute bar stools from Hub Furniture.
Dining: Lambert & Fils Cliff Dome pendant light from Living Edge. Lowe Atticus dining table from Hub Furniture. Muuto Visu chair from Living Edge.
Thinking behind the arrangement of furniture and fixtures
The main areas of the house were designed as a ‘connected’ plan (rather than open-plan); a series of linked, distinct and flexible indoor and outdoor living spaces. These spaces (including the kitchen and dining areas) are organised around a dark, densely packed volume housing the functional needs of the house, the pantry, storage, laundry, kitchen joinery, garage and guest toilet. The indoor and outdoor living spaces are all connected visually when closed but can be opened up and connected to cater for large extended family gatherings.
The furniture and lighting is low or horizontal to maximise views through and out of the space to the surrounding bay and peninsula.
The main areas of the house were designed as a ‘connected’ plan (rather than open-plan); a series of linked, distinct and flexible indoor and outdoor living spaces. These spaces (including the kitchen and dining areas) are organised around a dark, densely packed volume housing the functional needs of the house, the pantry, storage, laundry, kitchen joinery, garage and guest toilet. The indoor and outdoor living spaces are all connected visually when closed but can be opened up and connected to cater for large extended family gatherings.
The furniture and lighting is low or horizontal to maximise views through and out of the space to the surrounding bay and peninsula.
Challenges you worked around
Designing a kitchen and dining space that could adapt for larger gatherings but not feel cavernous when the couple was alone in their house. Creating plenty of concealed storage and bench space without it feeling overwhelming.
Designing a kitchen and dining space that could adapt for larger gatherings but not feel cavernous when the couple was alone in their house. Creating plenty of concealed storage and bench space without it feeling overwhelming.
Why do you think this room works?
The multi-purpose kitchen bench works really well for the clients’ lifestyle. There is a lot of usable bench space and good circulation between cooking zones. The pantry is discreet and allows all the bulky kitchen appliances and supplies to be tucked away, which the clients were hoping for. The kitchen and dining are visually connected to other areas of the house but not completely open, so it still feels contained. A mix of ambient and task lighting works well too.
Tell us
What do you love about this room? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like this story, and join in the conversation.
More
Love creative design? Check out last week’s Room of the Week: A Secret Kitchen With a Dash of French Flair
The multi-purpose kitchen bench works really well for the clients’ lifestyle. There is a lot of usable bench space and good circulation between cooking zones. The pantry is discreet and allows all the bulky kitchen appliances and supplies to be tucked away, which the clients were hoping for. The kitchen and dining are visually connected to other areas of the house but not completely open, so it still feels contained. A mix of ambient and task lighting works well too.
Tell us
What do you love about this room? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like this story, and join in the conversation.
More
Love creative design? Check out last week’s Room of the Week: A Secret Kitchen With a Dash of French Flair
Related Stories
Most Popular
Renovation Insight: How to Choose a Kitchen Designer
The right designer can bring your dream kitchen to life – three kitchen designers reveal where to look and what to ask
Full Story
Kitchen Expert Advice
7 Common Kitchen Design Challenges & How Experts Get Around Them
From bad layouts to poor storage, here are seven issues pros come up against (and overcome) in clients' kitchen renos
Full Story
Kitchens
A Good Fit: 10 Questions to Ask a Potential Kitchen Designer
By lwkkitchens
A good designer knows which questions to ask about your kitchen project. But what should you ask them before you sign?
Full Story
Most Popular
8 Dos and Don'ts for a Well-Functioning Butler's Pantry
Having a little help behind the scenes is key to a pristine kitchen – here's how to create a functional butler's pantry
Full Story
Most Popular
Key Measurements to Consider When Designing the Perfect Kitchen Island
By Anne Ellard
Discover the correctly proportioned kitchen island bench dimensions so your space works as well as it can
Full Story
Kitchen Renovations
10 Times You Should Hire a Kitchen Designer
These specialists can solve layout issues, save costs, update an older space and create custom design details
Full Story
Popular Houzz Series
How Practical Is... Handleless Joinery?
Handleless joinery is popular in modern homes. But how suitable are cupboards that can only be opened with a touch?
Full Story
Renovation Guides
Room by Room: Experts on Ways to Avoid Common Renovation Blunders
From the kitchen to the garden, and all areas in between, experts identify common mistakes and share priceless insights
Full Story
Most Popular
From Planning to Pendants: Kitchen Lighting Essentials
By Joanna Tovia
This valuable guide will give you all you need to know about choosing kitchen lighting for fabulous form and function
Full Story
Kitchen Renovations
A Kitchen That Uses Special Elements to Punch Above Its Weight
This couple wanted a well-designed kitchen that incorporated their pre-bought furniture; this designer delivered
Full Story
Just stunning! The cabinetry is divine!
Thanks for the floor plan- would be good if Houzz did this much more often. The layout is even more important than the finishes. Would also stop readers bleating about “where is the fridge...?!”